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Wrongful convictions have devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities. Victims of wrongful convictions can lose years of their lives as they are held and put on trial, causing them to lose their jobs, their homes, their way of life, and much more. Advocacy by individuals, organizations, and the community can make a big difference in these cases and the long-term change that could prevent wrongful convictions.
Public awareness of a wrongful conviction, which is significantly influenced by the amount and type of media coverage of the conviction and individual, can lead to the support of grassroots movements. This can help individuals who have been wrongfully convicted along each step of their journey and cause a change in the legislature that prevents miscarriages of justice in the future.
There are several ways increased public awareness, informative media attention, and advocacy by organized grassroots movements can affect the process of appeals, providing important information and legal support, leading to policy changes that require more accountability in the system, and improving the emotional support for victims of these actions after justice is secured.
A legal appeal happens when an error in a criminal trial leads to a conviction, and so the results of the trial are a potential miscarriage of justice. An effective basis for an appeal may include:
An appeal is not always possible for every individual. If there are grounds for an appeal, it goes to an appellate court.
Then, the appellate court decides whether there will be a retrial based on the existence and significance of improper decisions and actions in the trial. Investigations of the case by skilled professionals help improve the outcomes of the appeal.
These appeals can be influenced by numerous outside factors. Grassroots advocacy can help spread awareness and raise funds to support these individuals in the legal process of making an appeal, and organizations can also provide additional resources to uncover issues in the process of the trial.
Increased media attention furthers the awareness of the public. When more people are aware of wrongful or overly harsh convictions, it can move them to act. This can lead to movements to push for reform. Public awareness can also put necessary pressure on prosecutors, law enforcement, and others in the system to fairly operate under the process of a criminal trial and its appeal.
When an appeal has the awareness and eyes of more people, it can also provide the individual with the emotional and legal support they need to successfully navigate the appeal and a retrial.
When more organizations and communities know about the issues of wrongful convictions, it can also bring more awareness to the changes that need to be made in the system. There are many individual victims of wrongful convictions, and this is the result of a systemic issue on the state, federal, and local levels.
There are several ways that laws and systems can be changed to limit the likelihood of wrongful conviction, including:
Advocacy by grassroots movements and public awareness due to media coverage can help make these changes, improving the legal system.
Individuals who are victims of profiling, wrongful conviction, and harsh sentencing are dealing with an exceptionally traumatic time in their lives. Wrongfully convicted individuals have numerous financial and personal needs that can often be provided by organizations and public support.
Advocacy groups are an exceptional way for victims and their families to find support, from legal representation during an appeal or retrial to support groups to help them heal after the fact. These groups can lobby for changes and give more reach to voices that have been victimized by the system, helping others become aware and take action to support themselves and their families.
NLPA is an advocacy organization and resource that exists to provide support to appellate attorneys and defense attorneys and help those who have been wrongfully convicted find experienced and dedicated legal support. We conduct research for individuals, determining the errors made by the legal system and how to address them.
There are several post-conviction options for those who have been wrongfully convicted or received sentences that are unreasonably harsh. At NLPA, we help individuals and families find legal support that can help them review these options.
We investigate a conviction, look over the testimony, forensic evidence, and witness information, and investigate the conduct of the prosecution and law enforcement. This can help uncover the grounds for an appeal or other post-conviction action.
Our organization provides emotional support for families dealing with an impossibly stressful time. We help raise awareness of the issues in the justice system and work to improve the lives of individuals who have been hurt by it.
Being convicted for a crime you did not commit can make you feel helpless, but it is not the end of your case. You can fight against unfair and inhumane decisions and misconduct. The support and advocacy of movements and the public can further support individuals and lead to long-term systemic differences.
At NLPA, we focus on righting wrongs against individuals and their families. We have spent years helping our communities in criminal and civil cases. Contact our team to learn how we can help advocate for you and support your legal support in the fight for justice.
